Members of the Colorectal Cancer Team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals say they are proud to be backing World Cancer Day.



The team members will be taking part in an awareness event for patients, staff and the public on the mezzanine at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Friday, February 3, from 11am to 3pm.

Nichola Ritchie, Colorectal Cancer and Stoma Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Trust, said: “As a team we are pledging to help our patients reduce their risk of cancer recurrence through promoting active and healthy lifestyles during and after treatment.

“We will be there on the day, along with the bowel cancer screening team, to offer advice and support to all.

“This event will help us to highlight the importance of early detection and recognition of bowel cancer symptoms. Bowel Cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and each year in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre alone we see around 270 new cases.

“Bowel cancer is treatable, if caught early, and we are capturing more early stage cancers with the introduction of the bowel cancer screening service. We urge people to participate in this service as early detection may lead to much better outcomes. Currently around 57% of patients treated are still cancer free five years after treatment.”

The team provides support to colorectal cancer patients and their families at all stages of their journey from diagnosis through to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or even palliative care.

Nichola explained: “We are there for people after they have had cancer too, offering support and advice with regular clinics, telephone contact and open access to our service. We have a dedicated team of eight nurses and work very closely with other clinical nurse specialist teams, surgeons, oncologists and the wider colorectal network.”

There will be a Grand Raffle during the event on February 3 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with some great prizes including gym memberships, spa days, massage, Zumba classes with Dan Whiston, a fitness tracker, fitness equipment, vouchers for local boutiques, Fleetwood Football Club tickets, De Vere Village Hotel entertainment evening and meal package, lots of lovely treats to be pampered with as well as a few indulgent goodies.

Internationally, World Cancer Day is on Saturday, February 4, however, the Trust is having its event on Friday, February 3, so that more people have the opportunity to attend.

Nichola added: “We hope that you will all come along and support our day and look forward to seeing you there.

“I am proud to be part of the team organising this event which will provide a platform for everybody to come together in the fight against cancer.”

Visit www.worldcancerday.org for more information on how the day is being marked around the globe.